Often before bedtime we read a chapter book as a family. Oftentimes the younger children get a little restless and disruptive during this time. It often has been very difficult to get the reading done with everyone listening.

Tonight I decided to have a little "family meeting" before we read the book. I explained that we were going to read our book and they needed to prove to me that they really wanted to hear the book by their actions in order to stay up to listen. Otherwise they would be sent to bed.

I then proceeded to demonstrate proper listening and improper listening. I had my husband read a little and re-enacted their behaviors or acted properly in turn and then asked them if I was listening properly or not. They all thought it was pretty funny to see mom rolling around wildly on the floor like they do for improper listening! Sometimes one of them will be silly and just start laughing to another child to get them laughing back and forth so while my dh was reading, I started to laugh for no reason at my children. Anyways, you probably had to be there to get the whole scene, but the re-enactment certainly helped and they sat much better tonight. My dh did have to cart 2 of them off before  the chapter was done, but all in all things were better.